What was your first day like?

College Life
1

<p>Specifically, is there anyone here that could give the rest of us some input? </p>

<li><p>If you lived in a dorm, how was the first day like when you FINALLY got settled down? Did you just sit back and let it all seep in that you won’t be living with your family anymore? Or did you decide to go out and become acquainted with the city/school? How was it like when you first met your roommate(if he/she was someone you didn’t know). Was it awkward, or did you two hit it off right away?</p></li>
<li><p>How was the first day of class? I’m not a very outgoing person so basically i’m an introvert. Most freshman classes are usually full, so did you introduce yourself to the students sitting next to you or was it uber awkward the first day? haha, that’s how I picture it to be…amazingly awkward. We’re all fishes on the same boat. Also, do you sit in the same seat everyday?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I know I sound like a total noob, but that’s okay. I guess i’ll post this in a bigger section if this one doesn’t get many replies.</p>

2

<p>I didn’t really get adjusted to my dorm until after classes the first day, because I had to work all during the week before classes started. I was able to move my stuff in for a couple hours but then had to go back home to work (live an hour away) so I didn’t get to do the “pre-college week” stuff or whatever they call it. I spent about the first couple days getting aquainted, finding my way around, even though I’ve been to the campus several times a year for many years. I’m still not “close” to my roommates. We don’t have anything in common so we don’t talk much…but we’re not killing each other either :wink: But we laid out the ground rules that first night to get everything done (sharing food, sleep patterns, tv/music while studying, etc)</p>

<ol>
<li>Luckily I knew a girl from high school in my first class. My second class I sat next to a random girl and we hit it off right away. We’re inseparable now, if that tells you anything. I had most of my classes with the same group of 7 or 8 people that I’m now great friends with and we usually sat together in the same general area. It’s not assigned seats or anything (it might be in smaller classes, but my small ones weren’t)</li>
</ol>

<p>You’ll be fine. Be yourself. Strangers are just friends waiting to happen :slight_smile: That’s how I look at it. Okay, not all strangers, but you catch my drift.</p>

3

<p>Lets see…
Walk in front door, get yelled at for not having my top button buttoned, turn in paperwork, issued clothes, a bearings book and assigned a company. Walk outside, in the rain, wait for someone else to yell at me, wait outside a door, issued a room, stand outside door for hours on end having people yell at me for moving my eyes and not standing perfectly still, make my bed, have it torn apart, make it again, do pushups, eat lunch, stand outside door, learn to march, get yelled at somemore, break, learn my roommates name, stand outside the door somemore, take a 30 second shower with 20 guys I’ve never met, get yelled at, get into my bed, told “CONGRATULATIONS, you just made it through day 0!, Thats right, This day doesn’t even count” and fall asleep, to be waken at 0530 the next morning, where the hard stuff began.</p>

4

<ol>
<li><p>I live close (35 minutes) to the town my college is in, so I already knew the area pretty well. My freshman roommate and I never really hit it off, but we were always pretty civil to each other. She moved out in December into an empty room adjacent to ours though. We just didn’t really have anything in common- she was rich and went to a private school her whole life, I’m sort of poor and on scholarship to my college and a public school kid, etc. </p></li>
<li><p>The first day of class is not that bad. Professors oftentimes let you out after like 15 minutes because all they do is go over the syllabus. If you’re in a big lecture hall there’s probably gonna be 300 other people in there with you. Some profs assign seating charts in classes like that, others have you sign a roll sheet on the wall sorted alphabetically, others don’t care whether you’re there or not. Get there early so you can find an empty seat and then people have to sit next to you as the room starts to fill up. It’s slightly awkward to have to climb over people to get to the only remaining seat in the middle of an aisle. If someone sits next to you (or you sit next to them) say hi, but don’t push a conversation. Trust me it’s not the end of the world if you don’t start a conversation the first day. People tend to get in a routine and try to sit in the same place everyday after a while. Eventually you’ll notice the people that always sit where you sit, and you can strike up a conversation then. It may lead to a friendship, it may not, but I have met people that way that even if we don’t hang out outside of class, they might be good to call to study with, or just say hey how’s it going? did you do the homework? if you see them in the student union or walking to class.</p></li>
</ol>

5

<ol>
<li>Here’s my take the day after the first day:</li>
</ol>

<p>From LJ, 8/27/2006:

</p>

<p>Long story short, my friend from high school invited me to a concert and told me to bring one more along–my roommate declined, so I invited a girl I barely knew. We drank at at guys’ house we didn’t know, went to the show, got back late and the three of us talked for almost two hours in her dorm.</p>

<p>My roommate and I didn’t “hit it off,” but it was clear from the that we’d get along just fine. We both came from similar high schools (all boys Jesuit), and were the same major (at the time), had similar tastes in music, movies, had the same sleeping patterns, and had the same views on drinking. I was excited because he brought a TV, gamecube, and an awesome speaker system. I really didn’t get to meet a lot of people the first day since we left for the concert at like 5, but oh well. Funny how things parallel–in a couple weeks I’m going to a Goo Goo Dolls show with the same girl, only know we know each other a little better ;).</p>

<p>The second day, we were all in the lounge (it was the only room with A/C, and Maryland August is HELL ON EARTH), and then we decided to eat lunch together (like 10 of us from the floor), and then we went bowling. It started a trend–people on my floor still eat meals and everything in large groups. Heck, like 4 of us joined the Tango club and then were able to recruit like 8 more from the floor.</p>

<ol>
<li>After watching American Beauty 'til 3am the night before with some floormates, I was showered and out the door by 7:40 for my 8am engineering class, snacking on cereal as I walked. Ran into a girl who was heading the same way, and we talked for a bit about how much these 8ams were going to suck. We eventually found out we were in the same calculus class two hours later, and agreed to sit together. </li>
</ol>

<p>First class I sat next to someone I recognized from orientation, calc I sat next to Sam (girl I met walking)–we ended up sitting next to each other every day until she dropped the class…poetry I sat alone and did so the rest of the semester, chemistry–well first it was like 6 people from my dorm trying to find the damn building and lecture hall, so we all sat together.</p>

<p>It wasn’t too awkward–I’m seriously really an introvert, but I just made a concerted effort to be more sociable at college. It’s worked out well.</p>

6

<p>Wow, thank you everyone for bringing a lot of depth to your answers. :)</p>

<p>I find it very helpful and will continue to read this thread when I start freaking out. :hahahehe:</p>

7

<p>can we get some more replies? This seems like a thread with alot of potential, hell I definetly wanna know what everyone’s first day was like.</p>

8

<p>yeah, this is a great idea for a thread!</p>

9

<p>bump! bump! :D</p>

10

<p>1)</p>

<p>After meeting my suitemates I went out to meet others. I decided since I wasn’t very outgoing in high school, college was a great place to start off on the right foot. Though I didn’t stay friends with the people I met my first week of college, it was a great experience in taking charge and learning how to make friends in a strange new place.</p>

<p>As for my roommate, she didn’t seem too excited about me. I tried to talk to her and stuff, but she wasn’t really interested, I think she just wanted to hit the bar.</p>

<p>2)</p>

<p>Well, on the first day of classes I came with enthusiasm and hope that I could prove the school wrong that I was in the bottom half of my entering class. I tried to meet with professors after class if I was scared about the coursework to alleviate my fears and I met a lot of new people I hadn’t during the first few days.</p>

<p>The highlight in retrospect was that I met and had lunch with my future husband. We met in Calc 1 the first day of classes (he ended up switching sections so was only in that day) and he was really shy but asked if he could have lunch with me. Lo and behold, we ended up starting dating a month later and engaged two years ago. We are getting married in April (6 1/2 years later).</p>

<p>Basically, though I wasn’t the most outgoing in high school, college is a time to come out of your shell and find new aspects to your personality you may not know existed before. Come happy and smiling, someone will catch on and talk to you. Don’t get discouraged and also don’t be too afraid to make the first move (most freshman feel the same way, but you don’t know until you start talking to them).</p>

11

<p>Coool…Thanks</p>

12

<p>awesome that you met your F.H! :D</p>

13

<p>Yeah, that’s awesome.</p>

14

<ol>
<li><p>If you lived in a dorm, how was the first day like when you FINALLY got settled down? - well, i got down here around noon, picked up my books, and finally came to my dorm and checked in and such…started movin stuff in around 1, got everything in and down around 3-4, then went to target and then to dinner with parents and the roommate, then came back and hung out with my rommate and tried to really unpack and organize, but we had really bad storms and the power went out so i just sat with my roommate comforting her b/c she was really homesick…then sleep, then explored campus with a friend the next day, went to a pep rally, and then school started!
Did you just sit back and let it all seep in that you won’t be living with your family anymore? - don’t think about it that way…yeah i missed my dog and my boyfriend and the normalcy i had before, but things will settle in, dont worry
Or did you decide to go out and become acquainted with the city/school? - it was too late haha that was left for the next weekend
How was it like when you first met your roommate(if he/she was someone you didn’t know). Was it awkward, or did you two hit it off right away? - i knew my roommate, but we wernt bestfriends, we just got along…needless to say, we’ve definently grown close enough that we can trust each other with anything that’s on our minds. But, i’ve learned a different side of her, and we don’t have the same motivation or educational goals, and she’s so wrapped up in her b/f at a neighboring school and im so wrapped up in school we barely see each other…its a bit awkward this semester because we know we have nothing in common, but we still have fun</p></li>
<li><p>How was the first day of class? - my first day was cancelled due to a fugitive running around campus…but, the second day was interesting…i wasn’t sure what to expect, but its not a life-changing moment haha its somewhat overwhelming meeting everyone, but its fun
I’m not a very outgoing person so basically i’m an introvert. Most freshman classes are usually full, so did you introduce yourself to the students sitting next to you or was it uber awkward the first day? - its uber awkward for everyone darling. Some people introduce themseleves, but in the end, you usually never talk to them past the first few weeks. You’ll meet people, don’t worry. Try to sit amongst a lot of people, and make a joke or something about the class or ask a simple question, then say “hey im ____”. Also, get a FB. You’ll be suprised how easy it is to forget the 20 people you meet in classes.
Also, do you sit in the same seat everyday? - this isnt kindergarden. Some people do, but a lot sit in the same general area each time because everyone gets to class a different time each class. In smaller classes, you’re more likely to sit in the same seat. Oh, and if you want that front seat in a 30-person math class, get there early the first few times so that when you want to sit there later on you dont have to fight for it. No one wants to sit in the front row the first month of school then have someone else who is failing sit there instead because they slacked off the entire first half of the semester. But, no one owns the front row, so don’t feel like you can’t or dont deserve to.</p></li>
</ol>

15

<ol>
<li>If you lived in a dorm, how was the first day like when you FINALLY got settled down? Did you just sit back and let it all seep in that you won’t be living with your family anymore? Or did you decide to go out and become acquainted with the city/school? How was it like when you first met your roommate (if he/she was someone you didn’t know). Was it awkward, or did you two hit it off right away?</li>
</ol>

<p>It took me a few days to get settled down. For one thing, it was just plain weird being at this random school so far from home, knowing no one. I have always been very independent and on my own so it wasn’t too shocking for me to be away from my family… I’m the youngest so my family had become smaller and smaller as my siblings went away for college. This felt natural. </p>

<p>After my first day of being at college, I started to explore the school… gave myself a tour and found all the buildings where my classes would be held. I haven’t really gone out to the city but have explored the nearby college town. </p>

<p>When I first met my roommates, all of my preconceptions about them disappeared. I had contacted them a couple of times over break and just started to talk about our preferences for sleeping, schoolwork, etc. and some of the things we did in high school. Since then, I have learned to become more open-minded. And yes, it was a bit awkward for me at the beginning because, well, they’re random people LIVING with you! For the first few days, we just didn’t talk much. For the first few weeks, our conversations were limited to “How are you” “How was school” “How are your classes” etc. Now, we talk more like we’re friends. </p>

<ol>
<li>How was the first day of class? I’m not a very outgoing person so basically i’m an introvert. Most freshman classes are usually full, so did you introduce yourself to the students sitting next to you or was it uber awkward the first day? haha, that’s how I picture it to be…amazingly awkward. We’re all fishes on the same boat. Also, do you sit in the same seat everyday?</li>
</ol>

<p>My first day of classes consisted of attending discussion sections that accompanied my lecture, which is when graduate students/T/A review whatever concepts your professor covered in lecture. (I go to a large state university btw.) So, we hadn’t anything to review so my T/A just went over stuff we should’ve learned in high school (trig, calculus….) </p>

<p>On my first day of lectures, yes I introduced myself to the person sitting next to me. EVERYONE in the lecture room (300+ students, mind you) was introducing themselves to the people next to them. It wasn’t very awkward… And no, I don’t sit in the same seat everyday but I tend to sit in the same rows… like I might sit in rows 4-5 usually but not necessarily in the same seats.</p>

16

<p>Awesome replies!!! :D</p>

<p>I was just thinking to myself that i’d be a nice thing if college professors opened up with an ice-breaker the first day of class. I have this misconception that all professors are stuck up rudies, but i know i’m wrong.</p>

17

<p>I kind of have that same belief for some reason, that would kind of suck.</p>

18

<ol>
<li><p>After I finally got everything moved in & put away, I was too tired to do anything besides lay down. My parent’s had helped me move stuff in & they didn’t leave until around dinner time. I had a single room so I didn’t have a roommate to meet, but I did meet the other girls on my floor (all 5 of them… we were on the first floor of this building that only had 3 rooms on the first floor, the other floors had about 60 people each). I started exploring the campus & locating the buildings where my classes were in the next couple days. Some of my friends from high school went to the same university so we hung out together.</p></li>
<li><p>I honestly can’t really remember much of that first day of class. I know that I had gen chem & calc in the same lecture hall back to back. I sat near the front & introduced myself to some friendly looking people around me. I didn’t sit in the same exact seat everyday but I did sit in the same general area & so did other people. One of them in calc ended up being in ALL my math courses from then on… by complete accident. I remember the first day of chem lab too. I was nervous about chem lab because I didn’t know how different it’d be from high school. My assigned lab partner was afraid of fire… I always had to light the bunsen burner. I didn’t talk with my lab partner as much as I talked to the guy who worked at the lab bench behind us. He ended up in a few of my math classes too & I saw him periodically over the years because he ended up becoming good friends with some of the same people I was friends with.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I’m not an extrovert either</p>

19

<p>Oh man. I think I had a pretty atypical experience. My first day of class I overdosed on painkillers and was brought to the hospital by some of the people I had just recently met that day. These people, ironically enough, ended up becoming some of my closest friends at college. I would say, though, that my experience is probably not representative of most college freshmen.</p>

20

<p>A painkiller overdose? Odd I guess</p>